How Many Hours Is A Lot?

Sirius33

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
6
Hi Everyone,

New to powerboats here and I wondered how many hours is a lot of hours for an outboard motor? Specifically, we are looking at a GW Tournament 225 that sports a Yamaha 225 (4 stroke I think) that has 175 hrs. It doesn't sound like a lot but I have no point of reference except for my 1982 Cape Dory sailboat that still has the original diesel engine with 1100+hrs...and that's just starting to break it in :D

Thanks.
 

lowkee

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
1,890
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

Lowkee say: "To outboard run with no oil, one hour is lifetime"

Inspect all engines closely, check compression and ignore the hour meter.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

Over about 1500 is a lot of hours for an outboard.
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

My 1989 200 Merc 2 stroke lasted me for almost 20 years, depends on how they are treated and used. No oil, no life.
 

Rancherlee

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
621
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

Over about 1500 is a lot of hours for an outboard.

As JB said, IF it was maintained properly 1500 hours is alot but usually the engine will not be wore out at that point. We have an 82' Evinrude 115 V4 in the family that has over 3000 hours on thats low on power and needs an overhaul due to low compression but it still runs once it starts. There is a Mercury 50hp 4 stroke that just cracked the 1500 hour mark also on my Grandpa's 28' work pontoon/barge and it still runs like with like new compression.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,416
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

To put things into perspective, I put 134 hours on my motor this past April alone. Average right around 200 hours a year. ;)

The 4 stroke has a much longer life expectancy than a 2 stroke. A 4 stroke is just getting broke in at 1K hours. I personally know 2 guys that have well over 2K hours on F225.
 

Sirius33

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
6
Re: How Many Hours Is A Lot?

Gents

Thanks for the responses. To summarize - compression and lube is everything. Get the motor checked out thoroughly and decide then.

Cheers
 
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